The Press. TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1906. THE DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12517, 12 June 1906, Page 6

The Press. TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1906. THE DEATH OF MR SEDDON.

The news of Mr Seddon's death has come upon us with such tragic suddenness as to numb one's faculties and make it difficult to cay or write Avhat one feels upon such a sad and unlooked-for occasion. But tho first thought which arises I in the mind of all—those Avho were Bamong his political opponents, as well as his supporters—is that not only New Zealand, but the Empire, is the poorer to-day for the loss of a truly great man. Tried by any standard, he will pass Ohe test, and history will undoubtedly enrol him among tho number of English leaders Avho liave exerted a powerful influence upon public affairs, and have assisteel in moulding the destiny of the British people. His life's story is a romance—a striking example of what may bo accomplished by a self-made man, with great natural ability, strong aspirations, and unwearied determination. His success is all the more remarkable, and all the more to his credit when we remember the disadvantages as I regards education and early environment which he had to overcome. At an early age, Mr Seddon had to battle for his own living, and his education comprised little more than a working knowledge of the three R's. He not only made the most of his equipment, but all through his life he -was adding to it, and broadening his outlook upon "the Avorld. Nothing could have been more humble than his first entrance into public life—an apprenticeship in local government in a rough mining district. But he made the most of it, and reached out for a larger opportunity, which oamo when in 1879 he Avas returned to the Houso of Representatives, and from the, day he entered Parliament lie never looked back. There was about him, of courso, a certain roughness of manner and want of polish in his speech, only to bo expected under the circumstances. But it was evident at a very early period- of his Parliamentary career that he possessed certain great qualities which were bound to make their way. Ho was emphatically a strong man—strong in physique, strong in determination, strong in his mental grasp. The latter quality as well as his determination was quickly shown by the readiness and thoroughness with Avhich he madlo himself master of the forms of the House and all the complicated course of Parliamentary procedure. And he was quick as well as strong. In the great stonewalling debates which formled such a conspicuous feature in the stormy times during his first Parliament, he not only eclipsed all others by his feats of physical endurance, but when the wearied House found itself enmeshed in a tangle of bewilderment into which it had been brought by tho tactics of opposing parties Mr Seddon was ono of tho first to see tho Gordian knot could bo cut and how to securo tho advantage for his own side. !As years went on he profited by experience, and his knowledgo of Parliamentary ms art in managing men, and his grasp of public affairs became the wonder anel admiration of his opponents as well as of his sfrionds. Time after time when one of his own ministers has been unable to make headway with a Bill Mr Seddon has come to the rescue, has shown more knowledge of tho subject than his colleague in whoso immediate eiepartment it lay, and has carried it triumphantly I through the House. As an instance of Mr Sedelon's power of adapting himself to circumstances it is perhaps not out of place to recite the fact that in later yeans not only did he make himself at home in the aristocratic society in tho midst of which he found himself when ho visited England, but he lyecame an authority of no mean order in the matter of etiquette and procedure on occasions of State functions and the like. This was strikingly shown in mere than one instance during the JRoyal visit. It may seem a small matter perhaps to democratic minds, but when wo consider how little Mr Seddon

had to do with courts or the "convenances" of Society in his digging days, we do not know that a more striking illustration could be cited of his capadty for taking pains and the ease with which he adapted himself to his environment. An example of a different kind of his power of grasping new principles was afforded when tho Government came to the assistance of the Bank of New Zealand in 1894—one of the most important ■ political achievements with which his

j mime is associated. Banking exports were amazed at the readiness with which he grasped a complicated position, and mastered technical details, necessarily unfamiliar to him up to that time. Mr Seddon, as an Imperial politician, may well be the subject of another article. Here we may fitly conclude with a feAV remarks regarding the personality of the man. He had the enI viable faculty of remembering faces, antl j one of tho secrets of his great popularity was the fact that ho neA-er forgot an old frienel. He possessed much tact, and often testified by messages of sympathy to those in trouble, and other little acts of kindness the thoughtfulness which characterised his disposition. He was a I strenuous opponent, and at times a rough fighter, but there was a strain of largemindedness about him Avhich won the regard of his antagonists even when they Avere disposed to bo most angry with him. For ourselves, we have been opposed to him on most questions of I domestic politics. We supported him in his Imperial policy, and on one or two occasions when, as Aye thought, his private character was unjustly attacked wehastened to express our entire disapproval of the introduction of sudi methods into public life, and defended him to the best of our ability. It is a satisfaction to know that on more than one occasion Ur Seddon expressed his appreciation of "The Press" as, at any rate, a fair- ■ minded opponent. It is an equal satisfaction to us to reflect that we were ablo to give unqualified approval to his latest proposals—the system of voiun- : tary annuities, and a treaty of reciprocity with tho Australian Oomnion.Avealth. We shall hope to see them both carried into effect on, sound and judicious lines, and believe that nd more fitting monirmenib to his name as | a statesman could be erected. While on. many grounds we must deplore the suddenness of the loss, there is no doubt that death came to Mr Seddon at a most enviable time. Like :his predecessors in office, Mr BalHance and Sir H. Atkinson, he died in, har- ■ ness. Furthermore, Mr Seddon unay be £flid to have died in the zenith of his career—snatched aivay, as it Avould seem, at his most successful moment. He died in the presence of. his devoted jwife, aiad to her and to his family the most sincere sympathy will be extended. Tho State owes it to him to shoAV this sympathy in a practical form, amd we trust that Avhon Parliament assembles it will, following the precedent already set in such oases, carry out AV'kat we feel sure would be the unanimous wish of the country in such a case.